[kosta50]

And thus we see that the RCC and EO believe in an elite hierarchy of believers rather than a priesthood of all believers

I would venture to say that it is the Reformed who believe in the "elite," the "chosen" (elect). This is a deformation of what the "elect" mean. God chooses individuals and even groups of individuals to carry the burden of righteousness, not of self-righteousness. There is a big difference. 

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." -- 1 Peter 2:24-25

(Re 1 Pet 2:24-25) Dr E: Our only Bishop.

The word episkopos (overseer, bishop) is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament, Dr. E. Obviously, your view is extra-biblical because the Apostles talk about more than one bishop they recognize.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God." [Acts 20:28]

"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" [Philippians 1:1]

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" [1 Timothy 3:2]

"For a  bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God"[Titus 1:7]

It really is a pity that Rome and the EO deny the work of the Holy Spirit in each individual life of those who are members of Christ's flock.

It's a pitty the Reformed insist that God is the creator of evil as well as good. That, in itself, is denying the work of the Holy Spirit.

Your middlemen are just that -- stumbling-blocks...(John 17:17-20)

Do you intentionally discard the context of the chapters from which you pull your verses, or is it your random verse generator that does all the work? John 17, 13-21 is about the disciples.

Thus in verse 15 Jesus says "I have given them Your word" and then He sent them, verse 15 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." The apostles (the sent),  not your crowds of self-styled preachers and Bible-thumpers. It is through their word that others shall believe, and it is for those that Jesus prays as well, in verse 20, "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their (apostolic) word."

Clearly, Jesus establishes that faith in Jesus comes through their word, that they (the sent, the apostles) are the conduit to Christ's Church. The only stumbling blocks are self-styled, self-sent, self-appointed men and women of man-made "churches" who presume "authority" they were never given.

And thus we see that the RCC and EO believe in an elite hierarchy of believers rather than a priesthood of all believers

I would venture to say that it is the Reformed who believe in the "elite," the "chosen" (elect). This is a deformation of what the "elect" mean. God chooses individuals and even groups of individuals to carry the burden of righteousness, not of self-righteousness. There is a big difference. 

"Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." -- 1 Peter 2:24-25

(Re 1 Pet 2:24-25) Dr E: Our only Bishop.

The word episkopos (overseer, bishop) is mentioned numerous times in the New Testament, Dr. E. Obviously, your view is extra-biblical because the Apostles talk about more than one bishop they recognize.

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed the church of God." [Acts 20:28]

"Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" [Philippians 1:1]

"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" [1 Timothy 3:2]

"For a  bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God"[Titus 1:7]

It really is a pity that Rome and the EO deny the work of the Holy Spirit in each individual life of those who are members of Christ's flock.

It's a pitty the Reformed insist that God is the creator of evil as well as good. That, in itself, is denying the work of the Holy Spirit.

Your middlemen are just that -- stumbling-blocks...(John 17:17-20)

Do you intentionally discard the context of the chapters from which you pull your verses, or is it your random verse generator that does all the work? John 17, 13-21 is about the disciples.

Thus in verse 15 Jesus says "I have given them Your word" and then He sent them, verse 15 "As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world." The apostles (the sent),  not your crowds of self-styled preachers and Bible-thumpers. It is through their word that others shall believe, and it is for those that Jesus prays as well, in verse 20, "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their (apostolic) word."

Clearly, Jesus establishes that faith in Jesus comes through their word, that they (the sent, the apostles) are the conduit to Christ's Church. The only stumbling blocks are self-styled, self-sent, self-appointed men and women of man-made "churches" who presume "authority" they were never given.

[Manfred the Wonder Dawg]

“I would venture to say that it is the Reformed who believe in the “elite,” the “chosen” (elect). This is a deformation of what the “elect” mean. God chooses individuals and even groups of individuals to carry the burden of righteousness, not of self-righteousness. There is a big difference.”

kosta - please advise where you find a Biblical reference that God chooses groups to carry “the burden of righteousness”. Also, why do you call Christ’s imputed righteousness a burden? The Lord Himself says His burden is light - and I think the burden would be the reaction of the worldlings to Him and us. His righteousness is not a burden, but a cause for rejoicing, in my book.